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Which cargo bike is right for me?
Children's transport | Dog | Mountains | City center
The question of all questions: Which cargo bike is right for me, my transport volume, and the regional conditions where I live? Many different factors determine which cargo bike is the "best" for me. With our guide, we want to give you an initial impression of the variety of cargo bike types we offer.
Perhaps the most important factor in choosing the right cargo bike is the transport task. The requirements for a cargo bike primarily intended to transport 2-4 children differ significantly from those for a combination with a trailer for logistics or trades. Dog transport also has special requirements, for example, if the dog is large and heavy and would appreciate a low entry edge. Furthermore, cargo bikes differ primarily in their dimensions and the associated advantages and disadvantages.
"As mentioned at the beginning, the intended use and, above all, the parking options at home or at work determine which size is best suited to your personal everyday life. A large cargo bike has its advantages in terms of load capacity, but becomes a nightmare in tight basements." - Marko
In short: We want to make you mobile sustainably, whether in Paderborn or elsewhere. If you have any questions or concerns, we're happy to help and find a suitable solution. Guaranteed!
Determine the "perfect" size of your cargo bike
A picture is worth a thousand words. Unfortunately, this belief is often false when it comes to cargo bike images. Cargo bikes suffer from the optical illusion of wheels of different sizes. The Long John class (single-track, loading area in front of the handlebars) is particularly difficult to assess from pictures. Therefore, our first tip is: See and test it in person! Whether you're with us or at your preferred dealer, you have to see a cargo bike in person. Weight, size, turning circle, entry, and other aspects are difficult to describe or capture on film. Our portfolio of single-track cargo bikes can be divided into three categories:
These compact cargo bikes are characterized by their compact appearance. Smaller wheels combined with an upright seating position allow for a loading area of at least 60 cm on the same surface area as a standard everyday bike or e-bike. Muli & YOONIT are therefore true space miracles for urban areas or vacations.
- Muli Cycles "Muli"
- YOONIT bikes Minicargobike
The "classic" size of a single-track cargo bike. The 20" front / 26" rear wheel combination allows for only slightly larger dimensions. This space is used to create more storage space and room for up to two children or a dog. The "gold standard" is a loading area in the 50-70cm range.
- CargoFactory ONE
- Velo Lab Kàro
In this category, we have a true workhorse in the form of the Rapid bike. A powerful motor (112 Nm), an 80 cm loading area, and a solid steel frame make this bike a workhorse capable of almost any task. It has a truck-sized turning circle and increased weight, and it also has room for up to four children!
- Rapid bicycle carriage
Do you prefer a sporty or comfortable ride? - A quick guide
In addition to the visual impression, the type of rider is an important factor when choosing your cargo bike. Once you've formed an initial impression of the cargo bike's intended purpose and size, it's all about your personal requirements for comfort, weight, and handling. We made sure to cover a broad spectrum in our selection of manufacturers. The following assessment is intended as a guide. Any bike that claims to be comfortable can be ridden in a sporty manner, and vice versa.
Compact
In our compact class, the breakdown is clear: The Muli is comfortable, with a suspension seat post and a shock-absorbing steel frame. The larger wheels also help increase comfort in this segment. In direct comparison, the YOONIT is the "youngster" with a more powerful motor and lower weight. The downside of its sporty characteristics is a harder ride, especially over bumps or damaged roads.
Classic
Both the Velo Lab Cargobike and the CargoFactory ONE impress with their low weight. This is achieved through a lightweight aluminum frame. This makes both cargo bikes lighter than many current-generation e-bikes. Both also feature innovative cable-assisted steering systems, which allow for very large steering angles when maneuvering. Combined with their moderate weight, both are very easy to handle in everyday life.
The biggest difference lies in the seating position. The CargoFactory ONE is geared toward a more upright and therefore more comfortable seating position. The Velo Lab Kàro is significantly sportier in its basic setup and offers a gravel version with its own frame geometry, a true sports bike. The CargoFactory One also offers additional comfort with its front suspension fork. Both cargo bikes can be individually configured for a more comfortable or sportier ride using the stem and handlebars. This is an important option, especially for particularly short or tall riders.
Large
The Rapid wheeled carriage is a power glider. Its steel frame, long wheelbase, and powerful engine are reminiscent of motorcycle choppers. Cruising with a heavy payload is no problem. The engine offers more than enough power reserves for the topography of Paderborn and the surrounding area. Yes, we're impressed by the Sachs RS, and it significantly shapes the Rapid's character as an everyday vehicle for any use. Especially when towing a trailer, the engine is in a league of its own, allowing for stress-free transport of 2m² .
Bio-cargo bike or e-cargo bike?
This question isn't fundamentally easy to answer. Of course, the e-bike boom shows that assisted pedelecs (25 km/h) are the future. But the purists among us, in particular, will continue to struggle up the mountains without a motor in the future. Considering our location in Paderborn and the often very challenging topography, our trend for everyday users is clear: E-bikes or e-cargo bikes are being used more frequently, and the additional cost is often worth it.
The assistance makes medium distances of up to 7 km significantly easier to manage and hills child's play. If you want to integrate the cargo bike into your everyday life and cover a lot of distance, there is no way around an electric motor. Whether as a child transporter, a tool for the city center, or as a shopping cart: an e-cargo bike is much better suited to this task. Especially if both parents or perhaps an older child are to use the cargo bike in a family, the e-drive offers excellent power reserves. In comparison, it is easier to recommend a cargo bike without a motor in flat cities like Hamburg or Bremen, as you can easily roll along there without having to cycle up Warburgerstrasse, for example. In Paderborn, you can only do this in one direction. The return journey then becomes a torture and means that the cargo bike is often left behind.
If you want to use your cargo bike frequently, have multiple users, or generally want to arrive more relaxed, an e-cargo bike is a much better option.
Is a cargo bike with a trailer the perfect car replacement for you?
We've often been asked whether to purchase a cargo bike or an e-bike with a trailer. As is often the case, this question has no definitive answer. Nevertheless, we want to present our perspective and view on the topic. The first question arises from the intended use of the vehicle or the vehicle combination. The trailer allows you to significantly increase the cargo space when needed. This is precisely where the decision must be made: How often do I need this, and do I need a "normal" bike for "normal" everyday use.
An e-bike with a trailer, even a small one, quickly becomes significantly larger than a traditional Long John cargo bike. Maneuvering, locking, and parking are always somewhat more difficult in everyday situations when towing a bike with a trailer.
Therefore, the most important question at this point is personal preference: If you plan to do your shopping by bike 1-2 times a week, a trailer is probably the better option if the riding experience, e.g. as a commuter, requires the large wheels of an everyday bike.
Experience shows that developments often differ. Once a cargo bike is purchased, it quickly replaces the "traditional" everyday bike. Simply because, depending on the model, it quickly creates added value while remaining the same size or increasing only slightly: backpacks, bags, children's shopping, or even a jacket can be stowed away very quickly and easily. Everyday bikes or sports equipment such as e-MTBs cannot offer these advantages. In urban areas, a bicycle often has to be practical first and foremost, performing everyday tasks. This is precisely what cargo bikes are designed for and where their strengths lie.
In contrast, the consideration of purchasing a trailer is entirely different if you already own an e-bike. Similar to a child trailer, it offers a cost-effective way to allow significantly more transport volume for the e-bike. A trailer combination offers the greatest advantage when you want to "go big." If you want to transport maximum loads with a narrow track width, you can't go past trailers from Carla Cargo. These allow for large transport volumes without becoming an obstacle to the existing cycling infrastructure.
A trailer, like a car, is a great solution for transporting significantly more with your existing means of transport. This option is always available with our cargo bikes and, based on our experience, has proven to be an important addition for large transport tasks. The combination of cargo bike and trailer can function as a direct replacement for a car in many situations.
Conclusion
The decision to purchase a cargo bike shouldn't be rushed. Extensive testing on-site, or as we offer, a day's use in everyday life, is the foundation for long-term satisfaction with the cargo bike or trailer as an alternative to a car. As with cars, every vehicle concept is a compromise between many different factors and therefore has clear strengths and weaknesses. We hope this was a good first impression for you and that this guide provides useful support.
